3. The Event of the Month
The Event of the Month
Bastian
T he car slowly moved to the hotel where the party was held.
We waited in line while the guests before us exited the limousines and posed for the photographers.
It was the event of the month. Everyone who meant something was there, from politicians, lawyers, doctors, and police commissioners to economic wizards and IT technicians.
Shareholders from my family's company also accepted the invitation.
Four years ago, I bought four companies.
Each specialized in a different department, but I fused them, purchasing the biggest building in the city my people could find and relocating them under the same roof.
From Monday, the entire new corporation would be on its way to becoming the most successful business in the world.
I was already on the list of the wealthiest people on this planet, yet money wasn't my main interest. I had enough for a few lifetimes.
I wanted to make a change. I had the power and resources to make it happen.
This dream of mine could become a reality.
Tonight was just the beginning. However, what should've been the best night of my life was turning into a nightmare .
I offered Rose Adelaine a job contract after she broke up with her ex when he sold their sex video to a porn company.
Thanks to my quick reaction, she didn't suffer public humiliation.
But her boss already found out about her, according to him, sick lifestyle and kicked her from the firm.
She came to me with pleading eyes, begging for help, and I couldn't refuse.
The protector in me couldn't say no to her, even when I knew it would cause trouble.
Still, Rose was excellent at her job. She was confident, brilliant, and knowledgeable, and her hardworking nature and great looks were a deadly combination. It was the right decision to sign a contract with her, yet I seriously regretted it.
In time, when I got into a work agreement with Rose, my relationship with Electra was in the early stages.
We hadn't even dated yet. Not in my most horrible dream could I predict my princess‘s reaction to my ex.
She was possessive of me, and because of her past, when her ex-boyfriend cheated on her, I knew she didn't do this because she demanded my attention.
She didn't manipulate me. She was terrified of losing me.
I knew what I had to do. I had to show her that she was the only woman in the world I wanted by my side. But her ultimatum had my palms sweating. I backed off because she needed to feel some power over this situation.
Still, the last thing I needed tonight was a scene.
I trusted my girl not to do anything stupid, yet the uneasiness settled in my stomach, forcing me to think about all the possible ways to get out of this unharmed.
My reputation was crucial for business, and allowing jealousy to damage it wasn't an option.
The best thing I could do was stop this nonsense beforehand.
Electra
My hands trembled slightly, and my stomach twisted when the car leisurely moved towards the red carpet.
Massive double doors into the hotel were opened, and bodyguards guarded the aisle.
Reporters were behind the black tape, separated from the guests.
Every photographer tried to take the best photo, to catch the critical moment, and I just couldn't help but think about my high-heeled strapless stilettos.
Somehow, I knew I would end up in trouble because of them.
A bodyguard opened the door for me, helping me out of the limo.
While taking my long dress from the car, Bastian walked around the vehicle, stopping next to me and offering his hand.
I took it with a small smile, and he winked at me.
It was the first sign of affection since our little confrontation.
Inhaling sharply, I delicately put my hand under his waiting arm with a bent elbow and curled it back over it.
But I felt something tugging on my feet when I wanted to take a step.
Bastian turned to me, glancing at me with one raised brow, and I frowned, looking down.
The hem of my dress was stuck in the buckle on my shoe.
If I moved, I could destroy the gown before we even entered the party.
I quickly assessed the situation. Still, the best thing to do was to crouch and take it out.
I didn't pay attention to Bastian standing beside me, who most likely was trying to figure out why I didn't move when he wanted to pose for the photographers.
I took my hand from his arm, intending to free my dress, when, to my great surprise, he bent on one knee and did it.
A slight gasp left my lips, but then I was dumbstruck by the reporters, who went crazy. Everyone wanted a picture of the great Bastian Thorn kneeling before a woman on the red carpet.
My heart raced when he stood up, straightening to his full height and grinning at me. He publicly showed everyone how a man should take care of his woman. He didn't hesitate; he didn't bark at me to solve it. He dealt with it like it was nothing out of the ordinary.
This small gesture meant the world to me.
I returned my hand to his elbow, taking timid steps next to him.
The lights from the cameras were blinding me, and I tried hard not to blink and to have a perfect smile on my face.
I knew how important this evening was, not only for Bastian's company but also for us.
He had never come with a woman to this kind of event.
That's why the press was so eager to get a snap of me.
I was this month's superstar. I didn't tell my mom or dad or anything.
They would see it in the newspaper or on the internet.
I tried to talk to Zoe, but she didn't have time.
The closest people in my life didn't know how huge of a change was happening in my life at this very moment.
The private assistant just became the girlfriend of the most unavailable man, probably in the whole world.
With that thought, a broad smile appeared on my lips.
What would these people do if they found out the true nature of our relationship?
They would have eaten us alive. Whips and chains could never escape the safety of our apartment at any cost. I smirked to myself, for a second musing about my panties, which stayed at home.
I was at the party, surrounded by reporters and very wealthy people, and my man made me leave my underwear at home with the promise of sex.
Was I really this crazy?
While my mind was wandering between everything and nothing, we entered the hotel, and Bastian led me into the grand hall, where the main event had already begun. I knew the party was for filthy rich people, so I expected to see some pomposity. However, what I saw knocked the air out of my lungs.
The whole round room was decorated in white and gold.
Clearly, the designers loved flowers because the first thing I saw was elegant, bohemian bouquets placed everywhere.
The buffet tables stood under the vast balcony.
I didn't know the menu because many people were there, and we were too far away, but I definitely wanted to try something from the delicious desserts.
Yet I had to remind myself that I wore a revealing dress and I couldn't eat like a pig if I didn't want to end up with a food baby.
However, my rumbling stomach screamed at me to let it taste something, and I didn't want to deny it its wish.
"Are you okay?" Bastian asked, watching me closely, and I smiled at him.
"Yes, just thinking about the food," I replied truthfully. My mind drifted back to the meals.
"Did you eat today?" he inquired with knotted eyebrows, and I realized that, except for the yogurt and apple, I hadn't eaten anything.
Everything happened so fast that I forgot about it.
From my expression, he could read my answer right away, and before I could object, he took my hand and led me to the table.
He grabbed a plate and put so much food on it that three adult men would be stuffed like a turkey on Thanksgiving if they ate it.
"Enjoy, princess." He handed me the plate and fork with a napkin, and I grinned at him.
He was charming when caring for me like a little girl.
"Do you want me to feed you?" he asked, raising his brow at me, and I yanked the dish from his hand.
It would be great to let him feed me, but not in public.
We were at the center of attention. We had to follow the rules.
"Took you long enough to show your ass here."
I turned towards the voice while Bastian didn't move a muscle and sipped his champagne.
He forced me to eat, yet he started the evening with alcohol.
I noticed he was tense, like he expected something terrible to happen, and I only hoped it wasn't because of our conversation in the car.
I was overwhelmed by the feelings and this party, and I knew I had overreacted.
But I didn't have time to tell him that because his brother, Andreas, joined us with a wide grin on his handsome face.
I couldn't believe how amazing all of these men looked in tuxedos.
"Have you prepared a speech?" Andreas questioned, acknowledging my presence with a slight nod.
"No. Why should I?" Bastian countered, changing his empty glass for a full one, making me slightly nervous. He wasn't a drinker, at least he wasn’t while he was with me.
"Don't play dumb," Andreas groaned, placing a cheesecake on his plate. "When is Derek coming?"